Welcome Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College (R1, #17)

[Xenos]

It’s almost like TT was trying to force Rivers to retire.

Only took him seven years to get the job done lol. But no, TT’s FA and draft pickups in OL just never really worked out for very long for Rivers. Three years of quality OL play in 2013, 2017, and maybe 2018.

[TexanBeerlover]

Still pinching myself this morning...KG and Zion 2 of my favorite prospects, but how do you stump for boring old Guards on this forum? Still, I see few complaints, and that is awesome. By the way...love TT's opening response in the presser, which is definitely going in my post draft sig...."Guards are people too...":rofl:

It’s been a hard sell, I know been on the Green bandwagon (Texan fan base in more disarray) but it’s about fans seeing results (Slater) keeping Herbert upright and changing what was only two years ago one of the worst OL in the NFL. To revamp that situation, takes investment and matching up profiles that fit.

I’ll take underrated pick to gain highest possible ceiling we all believe Justin Herbert has inside him. That’s the accelerator which will elevate this pick into “A” grade selection and addition on the Chargers roster :cheers:

[Steve]

The whole moving positions thing seems to be getting overrated. MOST NFL-caliber players can switch sides pretty easily. Not all, but most. And it is easier inside than outside. And plenty of guys make the transition. Besides, he played on the right side in HS and at Davidson. And most coaches make their entire OL do drills on both sides. Plenty of rookies make the transition when they get drafted.

When it becomes a problem is when guys don't get an extended chance to practice at a position when they are still learning. If a guy is used to taking the hard kick-step out of a left-handed stance (for example), and then is forced to switch sides in the middle of a game, then if he hasn't taken snaps at both sides, he may not get the depth or position out of the kick-step and/or have his hands reversed. But give a guy enough reps in practice, and it shouldn't be a big deal.

If he can't, then that is a problem. Many NFL teams only carry 8 OL, unless their LS is a backup OL, so if Zion can't play left/right, then that is a problem. We might have to shuffle the whole line sometime, and he may HAVE to play out of a right-handed stance.

[Fouts2herbert]

Still pinching myself this morning...KG and Zion 2 of my favorite prospects, but how do you stump for boring old Guards on this forum? Still, I see few complaints, and that is awesome. By the way...love TT's opening response in the presser, which is definitely going in my post draft sig...."Guards are people too...":rofl:

Take a bow, you got your guy!

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

What about Doug Wilkerson?!?

[Formula 21]

We do have the Clapp to go with Jaimes for IOL depth. I mean I would love to bring Aboushi back too but I don’t think it happens unless the plan is to carry 10 OL.

I expect the team to carry 10 OL including 4 OT. Plus another OT on the PS. Well maybe 9 if one guy is a swing guy.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Love it, best OG in the draft. Makes us better.

Checks all the boxes:

Protects Herb

Improves run blocking, short yardage in particular

Improves pass blocking

The Chargers' ability to win the Time of Possession battle just improved.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

People might not think it's a sexy pick but I will say this....most Superbowl teams have very good offensive lines.

As I've said elsewhere, I'm more relieved than I am excited, but it's a WONDERFUL relief.

[Fouts2herbert]

Clapp is the only backup we have with OC experience. Can we cut him? Sure. Then we need to address backup OC. Unless the plan is to have Zion as the backup OC and then you can plug Aboushi in at RG in his spot, but it seems like this regime prefers not to play musical chairs with the OL when injuries happen so that doesn’t make sense to me. I like Aboushi a lot and won’t complain at all if we do sign him but I think he deserves a chance to start somewhere and I don’t see that happening after this pick. Jaimes and Clapp are the backup IOL, Norton/Pipkins and a draft pick are backups at OT with us carrying 9 OL is my guess.

They carried 10 last year, slater, feiler, linsley, aboushi, bulaga, norton, pipkins, jaimes, quessenberry, and schofield. Then when bulaga made his quick exit they again filled the roster to ten OL with kelemete. You think because they have better quality on Oline now it means they’ll carry one fewer?

if the season started today, slater, feiler, linsley, johnson, pipkins, then norton is the swing, jaimes, clapp, and hunter? I don’t know if that’s good enough in a 17 game season…at minimum they need another tackle even if pipkins is penciled in as the starter.

[Bearded14YourPleasure]

Staley came in and, like many coaches before him, said he wants to be a LOS team. Since then we have spent 2 of 2 1st round picks on OL, signed Linsley and Feiler to multi-year deals, traded for Mack, signed SJD and Austin Johnson to multi-year deals. Then you have the depth moves as well like Clapp and drafting Jaimes and Rumph, and we have 6 more rounds in this draft. If you’re an unhappy trencher it is solely by choice.

[powderblueboy]

I like how Chris Jones job just got harder: Chargers didn't face him at DT last year.

Chris Jones running over Dan Feeney and those Chargers interiors was a huge problem in the past.

Poor PR.

[Boltjolt]

The reason it didn’t work out is because he didn’t have Staley along with him telling him who to draft. Think about it every good OL selection (Slater) has been with Staley as HC.

I have confidence in this selection because of Staley’s involvement in it. Telesco has proven he can’t scout OL or DL (except Bosa) without Staley.

Says more about McCoy and Lynn and the collective scouts than Telesco.

Fact is we don't really know how their system works but seems the drafting has been better without Lynn involved.